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Gay marriage debate sparks call to action

The Supreme Court is indicating it could strike down the federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of federal benefits for married people.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, often the decisive vote in close cases, joined the four more liberal justices in raising questions about the provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that is being challenged at the Supreme Court.

Kennedy said the law appears to intrude on the power of states that have chosen to recognize same-sex marriages. Other justices said the law creates what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called two classes of marriage, full marriage and "skim-milk marriage."

The law affects a range of benefits available to married couples, including tax breaks, survivor benefits and health insurance for spouses of federal employees.

Local gay rights supporters held a vigil at the State Capitol Tuesday night and renewed a call to action. Those at the gathering said they hope the Supreme Court will rule in support of gay marriage. But inside the Capitol, some lawmakers said that will never happen and it shouldn't.

Robin McGhee flew in from California for the vigil in Jackson. She said she left Mississippi years ago, married another woman and raised a daughter.

"I felt like I couldn't raise a family safely here as a second-class citizen. And I feel like if change is going to come, I want it to come in the place that I call home," McGhee said.

State Rep. Tracy Arnold, R-Booneville, said he hopes the high court protects marriage between a man and a woman.

"Common sense itself tells us that any other kind of relationship is nonproductive, so that in itself should reveal to people something's not right about it," Arnold said. "To me, it's foreign. I just really don't understand why a man would want to marry another man or a woman another woman.

During an appearance Tuesday night at the Mississippi College Spring Scholarship Dinner, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said the Supreme Court should not decide the same-sex marriage issue.

"I'm a supporter of traditional marriage," the Republican said. "I do not think that these decisions should be made at the state level. So, I hope that the constitutional amendment in California is not overturned."

Same-sex marriage is legal in nine states including the District of Columbia. In 2004, Mississippi voters voted overwhelming to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is expected within three months.

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